District 1: frequently asked questions
While a primary role of the Board of County Commissioners is to serve as the main administrative body for the county, setting policies and making…
Local Government
Disqualifying candidates based on occupation
I believe our nation’s founding fathers designed Congress to be made up of citizens from varied professions and occupations. This concept was applied to the…
It is time to end pork earmarks
The issue of pork earmarks or legislative pass-throughs has received a bit of public scrutiny within the past few weeks after the Oklahoma Council on Public…
When the government refuses to follow the law
Imagine the challenge faced by the citizen who feels the call to become civically involved and hold government accountable only to be denied access to…
40 million dollars of savings and counting
Oklahoma taxpayers received some great news as part of a recently released report from Oklahoma State Chief Information Officer Alex Pettit. During the last legislative…
Who will pay for higher education in the future?
Last week I described the future model of higher education as being mostly free to use. This begs the obvious question. Who will pay for…
Popping the Higher Ed Bubble
I have found it interesting that it has taken so long for technology to bend the cost curve for Oklahoma higher education entities. Just as…
Suggestions For Lowering Tuition Costs
There were some positive outcomes from this year’s legislative session. This includes the scheduled closure of two high profile state government corporate welfare funds. Closing…
CNG could drive down cost to the taxpayers
Earlier this month I enjoyed the opportunity to attend an event in recognition of the placement of the new Compressed Natural Gas pump at the…
Bauman, McHand and Pearson take primary election
As expected, the Logan County primary election for the Sheriff’s race came down to a matter of votes for both the Republicans and Democrats.
Rep. Jason Murphey Earns 100% voting record on small business issues
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jerrod Shouse, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said today that Jason Murphey achieved a 100 percent voting record in the 2011-…
When Faith Meets Politics
This year’s legislative session recently ended. This was when legislators experience a tremendous amount of stress as they work against the constitutionally mandated closure of…
We Are Just Getting Started
Oklahoma state government will become more efficient and transparent as a result of a series of recently approved legislation. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has signed…
Modernizing Constituent Surveys
These email updates frequently opine about the need to modernize government processes. I certainly want to practice what I preach and apply these same concepts…
Courthouse facing overcrowding, handicap facility issues
The Logan County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, but the historic structure is having a hard time dealing with day-to-day…
Reducing the State Income Tax
Over the next few days, the Legislature will consider a proposal to reduce Oklahoma’s income tax. This year, Oklahoma state government will have more than…
The Terrible Legislative Budgeting Process
I suspect many Oklahomans envision that their state budget is carefully deliberated through the legislative committee system. They may believe the committee members understand the…
Texans should never have more convenience than Oklahomans
Last Monday, the web developers from the ok.gov organization released a new update to the state’s official website located at ok.gov. Each day hundreds of…
A real states rights solution
I hear often from House District 31 constituents regarding their frustration with the ever increasing encroachment of the federal government. From the fear of new…
Modernization Legislation Signed This Week Already Saving Nearly a Million Dollars
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has signed a key cost-saving government modernization initiative. House Bill 2197 outlines what appears to be one of the most aggressive…